A case of lung cancer with gingival metastasis successfully treated by palliative care

ABSTRACT

We report a patient with gingival metastasis of lung cancer in whom the use of sedatives was successfully avoided by employing holistic care approaches. A 64-year-old man had been receiving chemotherapy with the diagnosis of advanced lung cancer. Eighteen months later, a rapidly growing gingival metastasis was observed. Arterial embolization was performed, but it failed to control the bleeding. No active treatment was performed, and he was subsequently transferred to our hospital. He desired death, with markedly pessimistic views, and wished to undergo deep and continuous palliative sedation (DCPS) due to severe total pain (particularly psychological and spiritual) from the beginning. However, he died peacefully before receiving DCPS. We present a literature review of gingival metastasis from lung cancer, as well as our assessment and palliative care for the total pain of this patient.